Tuesday afternoon I decided I felt good enough to give it a go. I was able to go to a different property that had a blind setup just 50 yards off the road. It was a slow hunt I didn't see any action at all until this 3.5 yr old came in. I knew this deer wasn't the giant I had been hoping for but under the circumstances on how I was feeling and having very sick wife and children I really just wanted to get home. He came out of some thick nasty stuff right before 5 and came in on a string, as soon as he turned broadside at 30 yards I let the 12 gauge roar and dropped him in his tracks. He was probably dead in less than 20 seconds. I like them quick and clean kills! I'm still very proud of this deer and he will be forever known as the flu buck. Unfortunately he has about 11 inches of tines busted off which would have put him just under 130". I'm guessing this buck was very aggressive, his ear was torn, and he had scares all over his neck and back. Either that or he got his but kicked a lot!This was also with an outfitter but I really like the way they do things. I was given my own 300 acre chunk to hunt the way I wanted to that's why I asked for input. They have some stands already in place and they allow you to bring your own if you like. Because of being so sick their was no way I could hunt the property that I was assigned to so they accommodated me and put me on something I could get to easily.
Cool story, I take him to the processor and for some reason I had to ask if they had anyone call that needed venison. The guy says yes, I just had a disabled vet call today to see if we had any that was left over. I said well I'd like for him to have this deer and I'll pay for the processing. He kind of gave me a weird look, then he says well if your gonna do that I'll split the processing fee with you. Sounds fair to me. I said well I have some meat to pick up so just put it all on one ticket, then he says you donated the deer so I'm gonna donate the processing, here's the guys number why don't you give him a call. I gave him a call and it was awesome to be able to do something for someone that gave so much for our freedoms.
God has truly blessed me and it's been one heck of a season!
